Roller painter



.I June 29, 1937.

A. L. KITSELMAN, 2D

ROLLER PAINTER Filed May 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l 45 gwua/wto/n s June 29, 1937. A. KITSELMAN, 2D

ROLLER PAINTER Filed May 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/nm AL Mmm/WAN E Patented .inne 2%, i937 srrs Zgll

This?? @ENQ 11 Claims.

This invention relates to roller painters, and more particularly to a device intended for use in marking trame lines on highways.

An important object of the invention is to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive device means of which lines may be quickly andv easily applied to highways or any other desired surfaces.

A further object is to provide a device of the character referred to wherein a roller is employed fo-r applying paint to the desired surface and wherein novel means is employed for supporting the roller and for supplying paint thereto.

A further object is to provide novel means for controlling the flow of paint from the roller.

A further object is to provide a novel form of fabric applicator covering the roller to insure a uniform distribution of paint.

A further object is to provide a roller having spaced openings for the flow of paint therethrough and provided with an absorbent fabric covering to insure the distribution of paint throughout the periphery of the roller and thus insure the uniform desired surface.

A further object is to provide a roller painter of the character referred to wherein the roller is readily demountable to permit the use of different rollers for any purpose, as where painted lines of different widths are desired.

A further object is to provide a painting device of the character referred to having means for supporting the roller with respect to the supply tank, and to provide means for supplying paint to the interior of the roller axially thereof.

A further object is to provide common means for supporting the roller for rotation about its axis and for supplying paint or other surface coating composition to the interior of the roller.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing:

Figure l is a front elevation,

Figure 2 is an axial sectional view through the roller and associated parts,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of apparatus, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section,

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a modified form of the invention,

Figure 6 is ra sectional view taken axially through the roller and associated parts, and,

application of paint on the (Ci. iii-49) Figure '7 is a face view of a fabric distributor.

Referring to Figure l, the numeral i9 designates a tank or reservoir for paint or other surface coating composition, and the tank is provided with upper and lower caps i I and S2 re- 5 spectively. The cap i2 may be rigidly fixed to the tank while the cap Il is removable to permit the tank ID to be filled and emptied. Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided for normally securing the cap l! in position. Any 10 desired handle means may be employed for facilitating the movement of the device, and for the purpose of illustration, the tank iii has been shown as being provided with outstanding handles 13. l5

The cap I2 is provided with a plurality of studs I 4 at one side thereof and a plurality of tubular nipples I5 at the opposite side. One of the nipples l5 is plugged as at il, for a pur pose to be described. As shown in Figure 1, the 20 studs are solid and are secured against the solid adjacent wall portions of the cap i2 and selectively form supports for the painting roller to be described. The nipples l5 are tubular and communicate with the interior of the tank to feed paint to the roller in a manner to be described.

Referring to Figure 1 the numeral i8 designates a union by means of which an arm I 5 is rigidly secured to one of the studs Ill. The 30 arm I9 may be tubular and is curved inwardly at its lower end as at 2B. The lower end of the arm referred to is adapted to support a painting roller indicated as a whole by the numeral 2i. The body of this roller is formed of a pair of complementary sections 22 divided centrally of the width of the roller to permit them to be separated for a purpose to be described, the two sections being secured together by clamping bolts 23. One of the sections 22 carries a stub shaft 24 extending into the end 2G of the arm I9 and journaled with respect thereto by anti-friction bearings 25. The inner end of the arm 23 is provided with a flange 2B lying against the adjacent wall of the adjacent section 22 and xed against axial movement with respect thereto by a plate 2l secured in position by screws 28. The arm I9 forms the sole support for the roller, as will become apparent.

The other section 22 is connected to the means for supplying paint or other surface coating composition to the interior of the rollers, such means including an elbow 2S secured in position n a manner to be described. A rubber or similar exible tube 30 Vis Connected at one end to the 55.

. desired surface.

elbow 29 and at the other end to a preferably metallic pipe 3 l. This pipe has its other end connected by a rubber or similar sleeve 32 to one of the nipples i5. Accordingly it will be apparent that the tank H) communicates with the interior of the roller to supply paint thereto.

A valve device indicated as ya whole by the numeral 33 is adapted to control the flow of paint outwardly from the roller through openings 35 formed in the adjacent edges of the section 22. The valve device comprises a disk like center portion 35 having a plurality of spokes or arms 35 extending outwardly therefrom and each carrying a valve 31 at its outer end conforming to the curvature of the inner peripheral portion of the roller and fitting snugly thereagainst. The valves 3l correspond in number and arrangement to the openings 35 and are movable to cover and uncover these openings upon actuation of a handle 33 projecting from one of the casing sections 22 through an arcuate slot 39 formed therein. It will be apparent that the disk portion of the valve covers the slot 39 and effectively prevents leakage therethrough.

The disk portion 35 of the valve lies against the wall of one of the sections 22, as shown in Figure 2, and common means may be employed for securing this disk and the elbow 29 in position.

Referring to Figure 2, the numeral 4i) designates a threaded sleeve having a flange 4I at its inner end seating on the inner face of the disk 35. A nut i3 is threaded on the outer end of the sleeve 55 and has a portion engaging a peripheral flange lli formed on the elbow 25. It will be apparent that the outer end of the nut i3 seats against the ange 45 which, in turn, seats against the end of the sleeve 4U, and accordinglyY the nut i3 and flange effectually hold the parts together without creating any binding actionV between the disk 35 and the adjacent section 22.

An absorbent fabric covering 45 is arranged overV the roller to distribute paint peripherally with respect thereto between the openings 34 to insure the uniform application of paint on the The cover 45 carries an elastic band t5 at each edge thereof, and these bands contract against flanges 41 carried by the sections 22 to form aV leak-proof joint vand assist in excluding air from the interior of the roller.

The roller painter described is particularly intended for use in painting on horizontal surfaces and the slightly modied form of the invention shown in Figure i is applicable for paintingron vertical surfaces under which conditions the tank may be held horizontally or inclined downwardly away from the roller. With the form of the invention described, there would be an inadequate supply of paint to the roller. In the form of the invention lshown in Figure l a piston G8 is reciprocable inthe tank l@ and may be urged toward theroller end of the tank by means of uid pressure delivered to the tank through al eXible hose i9 connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure. l

In-tne form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, common means is employed for rotatably supporting the roller and for supplying paint to the interior thereof. In'suchforrn ofthe invention a tank 50 may be employed which is generally similar to the tank I5 previously described, and thertank is preferably provided withk a suitable form of handles 5|. A removable top 52 held in position by any suitable means (not shown) may be removed to permit the tank to be filled. The lower end of the tank is provided with an outlet tube 53 arranged in axial alinement with the tank. A plurality of other outlet tubes 5t may lead from the tank angularly with respect thereto as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Caps 55 are shown as closing the outlet tubes which are not in use.

A roller similar to the roller previously described is employed and is indicated as a whole by the numeral 55. This roller has a metallic body portion rnade up of complementary sections 5l and 58 bolted together as at 59. These sections are very similar to the sections 22 previously described, but have been shown in the present instance as having groups of smaller outlet openings 50 for the passage of paint or otheri surface coating composition from the interior of the body. A valve disk 3| is rotatable against the side wall of the section 58Vand is provided with valves 52 each adapted to control one of the groups of openings 6U. An operating handle 53 extends through a slot 64 formed in the body member 53 and operates the valve disk 6| in the same manner that the handle 38 operates the valve 33.

A supporting pipe 65 is threaded on the outlet tube 53 as shown in Figure 6, butY it will be apparent that this pipe may be threaded on one of the outlet tubes 55, in which case the cap 55 covering such tube will be threaded on the tube 53. The pipe 55 has its lower end turned inwardly as at 55 and terminates in an axial extension 5l through which paint flows from the pipe 65 into the interior of the roller. A nut 68 is threaded on the inner end of the extension 61 and retains the valve disk 5i in snug contact with the wall of the section 58.

The lower end of the pipe 65 is also provided with a portion 59 concentric with the extension 5l, and anti-friction bearings 'IB are arranged v between the portion 69 of the pipe 65 and a circular flange 'il formed centrally of the adjacent wall of the section 58. The portion 69 ofthe supporting pipe is also provided with an outstanding ange 'I2 engaged by an annular plate 13 secured to the section 55 as at 14. The plate 13 acts as a thrust bearing in the same manner as the plate 2l, shown in Figure 2.

An absorbent fabric covering 15 is arranged over the roller as shown in Figure 6. Whereas the, fabric covering 45 previously described is providedwith openings in opposite Sides, it will be apparent that in the form of the invention shown in Figure 6, the single pipe 55 acts as both the support for the 'roller and thel means for supplying paint the-reto. Accordingly the cover 15 may be provided with only one opening 'i6 in one side thereof, and such opening is surrounded by an elastic band i? to maintain the wall of the opening 'i3 in snug contact with a flange 18 carried by the section 58, thus assisting in excluding air from beneath the fabric cover. It will be apparent however, that one of the fabric covers 55 may be employed with the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 since there obviously is no objection to providing openings in both sides of the fabric cover.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is as follows:

The roller is effectively supported for rotation by the single arm i3, thus leaving the opposite side of the roller free to permit the supplying of surface coating composition to the interior of the roller. The sleeve i8 rigidly connects the arm lil to the tank independently of the hose and pipe connections at the opposite side of the'roller, and

the latter connections supply paintaxially to the roller. The paint is supplied to the absorbent covering 4S which peripherally distributes the paint, and in operation, it merely is necessary for the operator to grasp the handles I 3 and push the device to roll the roller over the line which' it is desired to paint. When the painting operation is completed, the valvev device is closed by operating the handle-38; Under such condtions each valve 3l closes its associated opening 34. It will be noted that theclamping bolts 23 normally lie in the relative positions shown in Figure 3, and accordingly they do not interfere with the rotary movement of the valve device to closed position.

The cover 45, with its elastic bands I6 servesnot only to yuniformly distribute the paint peripherally with respect to the roller butV also excludes air from the interior thereof. The device is particularly adapted for marking traffic lines on'highways, as will be apparent.

The operation of the form of the device shown in Figure 4 is identical with that previously described, the only difference lying in the provision of means for positively supplying paint to the roller, thus permitting the device to be used in any position. The pressure supply means shown inl Figure 4, of course, is unnecessary in paintingv traffic lines on highways since the device is used in such a position that' there is a free gravity flow of paint to the roller at all times.

As soon as the use of the device has been completed, the rubber hose connections may be readily removed, whereupon the screws 28 may be removed to permit the roller to be detached from the arm I9. The cover is then readily removable by stretching one of the bands 45 over the roller, whereupon all of the parts of the device may be cleaned by using a suitable solvent according to the surface composition being employed.

The purpose of the plurality of studs I 4 and nipples I5 is to permit rollers of different sizes to be employed. Where wider rollers are employed, such rollers may be supported from the F outer stud Il! by a suitable arm I9, and hose and piping connections similar to those illustrated may be connected to the outer nipple I5, as will be apparent. The plug I'I will be removed, of course, when the hose connection 32 is to be connected to the outer nipple I5, the plug I'I, under such conditions, being secured into the inner nipple I5.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 5, 6 and '7 will be apparent from the foregoing description. The device is rolled over the surface to be treated in the same manner as the forms of the device previously described, and when the parts are connected in the manner shown in Figure 6, the surface coating composition will flow from the tube 53 to the pipe 65 and thence through the axial extension 6l into the interior of theroller. The paint is discharged from the roller through the openings 60 and is absorbed by the covering 'I5 to be uniformly spread peripherally with respect to the roller to insure a unform application of the paint. The openings 6i! may be closed by operating the handleV 63 to rotate the valve disk 6I, each valve 62 closing one set of openings 60.

Instead of connecting the pipes as shown in Figure 6, the pipe E5 may be threaded on either Aof the tubes 54, thus adapting the device for applying paint on inclined surfaces. If the pipe 65 is connected to one of the tubes 54, the cap 55 from the latter tube isv threaded on the tube 53 tovforml a closure therefor.

VFrom the foregoing it will be apparent that either form of the device forms simple and effective means for applying paint and other surface coating compositions wherever desired, and the device islparticularly adapted for use in painting trafc lines on highways. The fabric covering in each case takes the place of a brush and remains saturated with paint as long as the device is in operation, thus insuring the uniform application of paint where desired.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement-of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.V

I claim:

1. Al device of the character described comprising a roller having peripheral openings, means for supplying a liquid surface coating composition to thefinterior of said roller, a valve device within saidrr'oller having portions movable across said openings, saidroller being provided with a slot, an operating handle projecting through said slot and connected to said valve device, and an absorbent applicatorcovering said openings.

2.1'A device of the character described comprising a roller having peripheral openings, means for supplying a liquid surface coating composition to the interior of said roller, a valve device within said roller having portions movable across said openings, said roller being provided with a slot, an operating handle projecting through said slot and connected to said valve dei vice, an absorbent applicator peripherally surrounding said roller and covering said openings, and resilient means for securing said applicator on said roller.

3i. A device of the character described comprising a roller having peripheral openings, means for supplying a liquid surface coating composition to the interior of said roller, a valve device arranged in said roller and supported for rotation coaxially with respect thereto, said valve device having portions movable across said openings, said roller being provided with an arcuate slot concentric therewith, an operating handle projecting through said slot and connected to said valve device, and an absorbent applicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings.

4. A device of the character described oomprising a tank, an arm connected at one end to said tank and having bearing means at its other end, a surface coating applying roller having one side supported solely by said bearing means, and means for supplying liquid surface coating composition from said tank to the opposite side of said roller axially with respect thereto.

5. A device of the character described comprising a hollow surface coating applying roller, a tank, an arm connected to said tank, said arm being rotatably connected to one side of said roller and forming the sole support therefor, means for supplying liquid surface coating composition from said tank to the interior of said roller axially with respect thereto, said roller being provided with peripheral openings, and an absorbent applicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings.

6. A device of the character described comprising a hollow surface coating applying roller, a tank, an arm connected to said tank, said arm being rotatably connected to one side of said roller and Vforming the sole support therefor, means for supplying liquid surface coating composition from said tank to the interior of said roller axially with respect thereto, said roller being provided with peripheral openings, an absorbentapplicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings, and valve means within said roller for governing said openings.

7. A device of the character described com-V prising a tank, an arm connected at one end to said tank and having bearing means at its other end, a surface coating applying roller having one side supported solely by said bearing means, means for supplying liquid surface coating composition'from said tank to the opposite sidev of said roller axially with respect thereto, said roller being provided with peripheral openings, and an absorbent applicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings.

8. A device of the character described comprising a tank, an arm -connected at one end to said tank and having bearingmeans atits other end, a surface coating applying roller having one side supported solely by said bearing means,

means for supplying liquid surface coating com-` position from said tank to the opposite side of said roller axially with respect thereto, said roller prising a tank, a single hollow arm rigidly se-A Y cured at one end to said tank and communicating therewith, a paint applying roller Vrotatably supported by the other end of said arm and communicating therewith, said roller being provided with openings, and an absorbent vapplicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings.

1l. A device of the character described comprising a tank, a single hollow arm rigidly secured at one end to said tank and communicating therewith, a paint applying roller rotatably supported by the other end of said arm and communicating therewith, said roller being provided with openings, an absorbent applicator surrounding said roller and covering said openings, and Vvalve meanswithin said roller for controllingV said openings.

' ALVA L. KITSELMAN, l1. 

